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Tech Alert: Introducing Windows Hello—now available

May 1, 2023

Drexel IT has made Windows Hello available to faculty and professional staff. Windows Hello lets you sign in to your Drexel-owned Windows devices using a PIN, fingerprint, or facial recognition.

These options help make it quicker, easier, and more secure to sign into your PC.

Learn more about Windows Hello

Set up Windows Hello

  1. Select Start > Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.
  2. Under Manage how you sign in to your device, you'll see three choices to sign in with Windows Hello:
    • Select Windows Hello Face to set up facial recognition sign-in with your PC's infrared camera or an external infrared camera.
    • Select Windows Hello Fingerprint to set up sign-in with a fingerprint reader.
    • Select Windows Hello PIN to set up sign-in with a PIN.

  Notes:

  • If you're working from off campus, you'll need to connect to Drexel's Virtual Private Network (VPN) before you can set up Windows Hello. It might take several minutes to an hour for Windows Hello settings to become available.
  • When you set up fingerprint or facial recognition sign-in, you'll need to set up a PIN as one of the steps, but you can also sign in with just your PIN.
  • Your PIN must be a minimum of eight characters.

Windows Hello system requirements

  • TPM chip
  • Operating system
  • Domain membership
    • Your device must be joined to the Drexel domain.
  • Device registration
    • Your device must be registered and actively reporting into Drexel’s device management tools.

Feature-specific requirements

Windows Hello biometric authentication features require specific hardware. Windows devices without biometric sensors can use Windows Hello with a PIN.

  • Facial recognition
    • Built-in or external infrared (IR) camera.
  • Fingerprint recognition
    • Built-in or external fingerprint reader.

How does Windows Hello keep my info private?

Windows does not store pictures of your face or fingerprint on your device or anywhere else. When you set up Windows Hello biometrics, it takes data from the camera or fingerprint reader and creates a mathematical representation. That data is then encrypted before it’s stored on your device. The info that identifies your face or fingerprint never leaves your device.

Help and support

If you have questions or need help setting up Windows Hello, contact your IT department or the Drexel IT Help Desk. You can also contact the Drexel IT Help Desk by phone at 215.895.2020.